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The Financial Secretary, Mr John C Tsang, reviewed the Fire Services passing-out parade for seven station officers, 15 ambulance officers, two senior firemen and one senior firewoman of the Mobilising and Communications Group, 63 firemen and 23 ambulancemen today (July 3).
Speaking at the parade, Mr Tsang said that there has been great public demand for emergency services provided by the Fire Services Department (FSD).
"The FSD received a total of over 214 000 calls for fire services, special services and emergency ambulance services in the first quarter of this year, which showed an increase when compared to that of the corresponding period last year. The department will increase over 140 posts in 2015-16 to meet the future service needs.
"In order to enhance emergency ambulance services, the FSD is developing a computer system that will incorporate internationally accredited questioning protocol software to assist the operators of the Fire Services Communications Centre in identifying the condition of injuries and sicknesses, thereby providing callers for emergency ambulance services with more comprehensive and appropriate advice. This will help stabilise the condition of the patients," he said.
Mr Tsang said that the new Fire and Ambulance Services Academy at Pak Shing Kok, Tseung Kwan O, is currently under construction and is expected to complete by the end of this year and be commissioned in the first quarter of 2016. The new academy will provide 530 residential training places for fire and ambulance personnel recruits. The recruits will have more opportunity to receive training together in the new academy, thereby enhancing their ability to co-ordinate and respond to disasters. Also, the academy will be equipped with a number of advanced simulated training facilities offering a wide range of training.
Mr Tsang said that he deeply believes the graduates could fully apply their professional knowledge and skills learnt during training in fulfilling their commitment to serve the community.
The parade was followed by a demonstration of fire-fighting and rescue techniques by the graduates. The two senior firemen and the senior firewoman, who have successfully completed 12 weeks of training, started to perform mobilising and communications duties in the Fire Services Communications Centre. The remaining 108 graduates, who have successfully finished 26 weeks of training, will be posted to various fire stations and ambulance depots for on-the-job training to gain field experience.
Ends/Friday, July 3, 2015
Issued at HKT 18:26
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